The Waltons
Season 5
25 listed hours · 1972–1981 · CBS
From the desk
How this season is filed
Earl Hamner's Depression-era mountain family says good night until the roll call becomes national ritual. Richard Thomas's John-Boy, Ralph Waite, and Michael Learned hold a Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism. Family drama with patience and place — hearth, not sneer.
TV Flash files Season 5 of The Waltons (1972–1981) on CBS as a mid listed season (5; 5 of 9) — 25 listed hours, 1976-09-23–1977-03-17 from “The First Edition” (S05E01) to “The Achievement” (S05E25). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.
Desk essentials in this season
- S05E01 The First Edition
The First Edition is the paper as seasonal event. Hamner's family drama treating publication as a porch milestone — patience, place, and the good-night roll call still intact.
- S05E01
The First Edition
The First Edition — Season 5, Episode 1 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-09-23. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E02
The Vigil
As Erin begins a new job as a telephone operator with Fanny Tatum, a misdiagnosis by nursing student Mary Ellen results in Grandma ending up in the hospital, needing a lifesaving operation.
- S05E03
The Comeback
After losing his scholarship, Jason gets a job at the Dew Drop Inn, playing music at night to pay his tuition. He then gets an idea to visit the parents of his late friend Seth, in order to talk Red into getting back on stage for a benefit show. Meanwhile, after spending some time with the Walton family, Yancy Tucker works up the nerve to propose to his girlfriend, a barmaid at the Dew Drop.
- S05E04
The Baptism
The Baptism — Season 5, Episode 4 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-10-14. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E05
The Fire Storm
The Fire Storm — Season 5, Episode 5 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-10-21. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E06
The Nightwalker
The Nightwalker — Season 5, Episode 6 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-10-28. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E07
The Wedding (1)
When Mary Ellen announces her engagement to Dr. David Spencer, the family is surprised. On the day of their engagement party, they get an unexpected visitor: Dr. Curtis Willard, looking to take over the practice of Dr. Vance. Mary Ellen is soon hired by the new doctor to help him get acquainted with his new patients, and as a result begins to have doubts about her relationship with David. Elsewhere, Jim Bob begins a relationship with Mrs. Brimmer's niece, Patsy.
- S05E08
The Wedding (2)
While the wedding preparations continue, Mary Ellen finally shares her hesitation to be married with David and as a result, calls things off. As the residents of Waltons Mountain fear that Dr. Willard ran off with the money raised from the hard luck dance, John Boy starts to investigate Curtis' past employment with a mining company and is able to track him down. Upon their arrival back on the Mountain, Mary Ellen and Curtis have a confrontation and ultimately get married by Rev. Fordwick.
- S05E09
The Cloudburst
The Cloudburst — Season 5, Episode 9 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-11-11. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E10
The Great Motorcycle Race
The Great Motorcycle Race — Season 5, Episode 10 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-11-18. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E11
The Pony Cart
The Pony Cart — Season 5, Episode 11 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-12-02. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E12
The Best Christmas
The Best Christmas — Season 5, Episode 12 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-12-09. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E13
The Last Mustang
The Last Mustang — Season 5, Episode 13 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-12-16. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E14
The Rebellion
The Rebellion — Season 5, Episode 14 of The Waltons. Aired 1976-12-23. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E15
The Ferris Wheel
The Ferris Wheel — Season 5, Episode 15 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-01-06. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E16
The Elopement
The Elopement — Season 5, Episode 16 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-01-13. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E17
John's Crossroad
John's Crossroad — Season 5, Episode 17 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-01-20. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E18
The Career Girl
The Career Girl — Season 5, Episode 18 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-01-27. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E19
The Hero
The Hero — Season 5, Episode 19 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-02-03. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E20
The Inferno
The Inferno — Season 5, Episode 20 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-02-10. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E21
The Heartbreaker
The Heartbreaker — Season 5, Episode 21 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-02-17. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E22
The Long Night
The Long Night — Season 5, Episode 22 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-02-24. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E23
The Hiding Place
The Hiding Place — Season 5, Episode 23 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-03-03. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E24
The Go-Getter
The Go-Getter — Season 5, Episode 24 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-03-10. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
- S05E25
The Achievement
The Achievement — Season 5, Episode 25 of The Waltons. Aired 1977-03-17. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.
More from the 1970s.